INTRODUCTION:

Chordoma is a rare and slow-growing tumor, with local aggressiveness and preferential localization in the vertebral column.

OBJECTIVE:

The main objective of this study is to evaluate natural history and results of treatment of chordomas.

METHODOLOGY:

This is a retrospective study from 1953 to 1993.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The age ranged from 2 to 86 years (mean = 34.5). Twelve patients were male and 12 female.

The localization of the tumor was:

20 in the sacral region, 3 in head and neck and one out of the spine.

RESULTS:

The treatment, alone or combined, was surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The survival rate for patients with lesions in the sacrum ranged from 4 to 119 months, since the date of the symptoms. The 5-year overall survival was 4.2.

CONCLUSION:

Chordoma is a rare and slow growing tumor, with a very difficult approach by surgery due to its preferential location in the sacrum and poor therapeutic results with radiation therapy or chemotherapy, mainly in patients with advanced disease.